Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Masters in Health Care Management
First Advisor
Betty LeMasters
Second Advisor
Marilyn Patterson
Third Advisor
Ajumma Muhammed
Abstract
This thesis will attempt to increase awareness of the significant impact of community violence on the social and emotional development of African American children and families and to examine the role that mental health and maternal and child health agencies could play in the implementation of effective prevention and intervention strategies.
The purpose of the study is to give an overview of the scope of the problem, identifying the extent, prevalence, and nature of the community violence in African American communities. Additionally, the study will review the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that have guided research in the area of violence and its impact on children. This research specifically addresses the impact of community violence on the social and emotional development of African American children. The study gives an overview of prevention programs that have been developed and are presented in this study. Also, it addresses the issue of the evaluation of violence prevention efforts. It also provides information on three violence prevention programs in the state of Massachusetts, California, and Ohio. The study addresses the lack of involvement from mental health professionals in the area of community violence and suggests that mental health professionals may have to develop a new treatment paradigm to meet the needs of African American children who are victims of community violence.
The summary presents three discussions of new directions that must be taken to more effectively address violence in the African American community. The major theme is that, in order to understand and intervene in African American violence, it bas to be understood in the political and social context of African American communities.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Simeon J., "The Impact of Community Violence on African American Children and Families" (1997). Theses. 238.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/238
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